In a state of extreme emotional distress, anger, or anxiety that makes one feel out of control or not oneself.
This phrase dates to the 16th century and reflects the ancient Greek and Roman concept that intense emotions could literally displace the soul from the body. The idea was that extreme passion could cause one's rational self to step outside their physical form, leaving them temporarily 'beside' their normal self.
The phrase preserves a fascinating ancient psychological theory about how emotions work - that our 'true self' could actually leave our body during intense feelings. Modern neuroscience has found that extreme emotions do indeed alter brain function in ways that can make us feel disconnected from our usual personality and decision-making processes.
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